The second volume in the Tales of the Otori
trilogy set in ancient oriental times, preceded by Across the Nightingale Floor
followed by Brilliance of the Moon. Often middle books in a
trilogy can be disappointing doing nothing more than bridging the gap between the first book which sets the scene and the final book which brings everything to a close and ties up all the loose ends.
I did not find this at all the case with this book it has a gripping story and plot in its own right. Kaede and Takeo are apart for most the book but their lives are destined to become entwined. I could not put the book down as the narrative jumped from one to the other. A really good read that leads me eagerly to the third of the trilogy.